BLHS Junior, Taylor Leach and her sister, Erin, a BLMS 7th grader, had a very successful trip to Louisville’s All American Junior Jersey Show earlier this month. Their Jersey cow, Miss America, placed 1st in the Junior 2 yr. old class and was best owned and bred. The All-American show is the biggest Jersey show in the world and winning a class, especially a milking cow class, is a very big deal.

“It really is a fun time to be there and definitely more fun when you win,” Taylor said, although she added that she knows that winning isn’t everything. “The best part is being able to celebrate with friends and family.”

“It makes it fun that we’ve done really well together,” Erin added.

In the Holstein show, Taylor was selected as the recipient of the Judy Collinsworth Memorial Award. The award is based on sportsmanship, herdsmanship, involvement in Jr. Holstein activities and knowledge of the dairy industry.

“I was very honored to be chosen for the Judy Collinsworth Memorial Award,” Taylor said. Her Holstein cow also placed 3rd in the open (adult) division and Taylor placed 3rd in showmanship.

Taylor and Erin both started showing cows as young as 3 years old at the county and state levels, and moved up to the national level when they met the minimum age requirement of 9 years old. They devote several evening hours each week to keep up their cows, and during the summer, hold even more responsibility with taking care of both morning and evening chores.

“Their youngest sister, Sophie (pictured below), is only 7 years old, but is definitely following in their footsteps,” said their mother, Lisa Leach.

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